2001 Chevy Tahoe - Room To Roam

If you've ever had a frustrating day on the trail because your rig's vital components let you down, then you'll appreciated Joe Hill's '01 Chevy Tahoe. While on a weekend wheeling excursion in the mountains of Southern California Joe learned firsthand how factory 1/2-ton components don't always pair well with tough and rocky terrain. What started with a bent tie rod early in the day quickly escalated into a blown ball joint, a disconnected steering knuckle, and a rear differential explosion.

Though he was unsure at first how to react to the drivetrain demolition, Joe soon chalked it up to a great learning experience and perfect opportunity to upgrade. To get the Tahoe up to par he sent it over to the fullsize experts at One Ton Off Road in Littlerock, California. While there, Joe worked with shop owner John Hughbanks to craft the four-door Chevy into a more durable and trail tough machine.

Since completing the conversion with One Ton, Joe no longer worries about the light-duty parts getting in the way of his trail fun. And if any of the remaining 1/2-ton equipment ceases to be up to the task, he'll be ready to upgrade it as well. For now, he continues to enjoy the spacious SUV throughout the California trail system and explore the possibilities of his daily driver and weekend wheeler.